Bobbin-building mechanism



April 18, 1967 A. GREIVE 3,314,224

BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NVEN7'0Q: ALOYS GPE/VE AGENEL April 18, 1967 A. GREIVE 3,314,224

BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imam/r09.- ALOYS GRE/VE AGENT.

A ril 13, 1967 A. GRENE 3,314,224

BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mrs/wag.-

ALOYS GRE/VE A ril 18, 1967 A, GRENE 3,314,224

BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ALOYS GRE/VE 20 AGENTx United States Patent 3,314,224 BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM Aloys Greive, Munster, Germany, assignor to Hamel G.m.b.H., Munster, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed Feb. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 342,362 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 6, 1963,

H 48,166; Jan. 15, 1964, H 51,390 13 Claims. (Cl. 57-75) My present invention relates to a bobbin-building mechanism of the type wherein one or more bobbincarrying spindles and a like number of thread-guiding traveler rings, coaxial therewith, co-operate to wind a thread about the bobbin core.

In the building of such bobbins, which usually are rotated about vertical axes, the thread supplied thereto forms a so-called balloon whose base rises and falls with the traveler ring and whose top is defined by the last stationary thread-guiding element above the bobbin. If this thread-guiding element is of tubular configuration, as is desirable not only for the purpose of giving direction to the thread but also for minimizing the possibility of entanglement between the threads of adjacent spindles in the event of a rupture, then the tube out-let will often act as a high-friction stop creating a discontinuity (i.e. a sharp bend) at that point. As a result of this discontinuity, the twist developed in the ballooning thread portion may be prevented from propagating itself further along the supply path so as to remain limited to a relatively short region of variable length, thus causing nonuniformity of twist and tension in the thread coiled upon the core.

The general object of my present invention is to provide, in a system of the type described, means for minimizing the effect of the aforementioned discontinuity so as to insure propagation of the twist over an extended length of thread, thereby suppressing variations in the twist rate and affording a more regular mode of winding.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a multi-spindle installation of this type, means for localizing a thread rupture to prevent initiation of a chain of such ruptures through progressive entanglements.

It is also an object of my instant invention to provide convenient means for collectively and individually removing a series of tubular thread guides from the vicinity of their associated spindles to facilitate the replacement of bobbins by unloaded cores.

A feature of my invention resides in the provision of a thread-guiding element in the form of an elongated tube axially aligned with the associated spindle, the outlet end of the tube being located (in the case of a vertical spindle) a short distance above the top of the bobbin as defined by the reciprocating stroke of its traveler ring. This axial alignment insures that the discontinuity created in the thread at the tube outlet has the same effect in all rotary positions, this eifect being minimized if a supplemental thread-gniding element (such as a pigtail-shaped eyelet) is disposed just below the end of the tube.

I have further found, in accordance with this invention, that optimum conditions for the upward propagation of twist exist if the upper vertex angle of the balloon, i.e. twice the angle included between the thread and the vertical at the point of deflection, is not more than 90, preferably not more than about 60. This can be accomplished by suitably correlating the diameter of the traveler ring with the height of the deflection point above the bobbin top, there being advantageously also provided an angular restraining member which encircles the balloon approximately midway in the position of maximum thread length (i.e. in the bot-tom position of the traveler ring) and which partakes of the reciprocations of the 3,314,224 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 traveler ring. More particularly, I have determined that the ratio of the aforementioned height to the diameter of the traveler ring should be on the order of 1:2.

Where a bank of spindles are served by a common supply mechanism, it will be desirable to provide means for simultaneously removing all the thread-guiding tubes from the vicinity of their spindles whenever it is necessary to make a change affecting all the spindles, e.g. by substituting diflerent types of bobbins or by switching to a new kind of thread. To this end, pursuant to a further feature of my invention, I prefer to mount the tubes swingably above the spindles and to provide means for selectively indexing them in either a position of operative alignment or a position of disalignment enabling the withdrawal of the bobbins from their spindles. I also prefer, in such case, to provide each tube with a seat from which it may be individually extracted to facilitate the changing of a single bobbin.

Still another feature of my invention resides in the provision of a slender pin atop each spindle, this pin rising close to the aforementioned eyelet at the bottom of the tube (e.g. to within 1 mm. thereof) so as to bridge the space between the deflection point and the bobbin. If a thread breaks on an adjoining bobbin and the loose end happens to strike the balloon of its neighbor so as to become entangled with the thread thereof, this loose end will wind itself about the pin and will thereby be prevented from carrying the entanglement to further spindles of the array.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of my invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of certain embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of a bobbin-building system embodying the invention;

' FIG. 2 is a front view of part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, showing a minor modification; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are again views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating a different embodiment.

Reference will first be made to the system of FIGS. 1 and 2, yet certain elements of the mechanism are also included in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 and will be more clearly ascertaina'ble from the latter figures. The machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a frame 10 forming a stationary bearing rail 12 for a series of spindles 14 disposed side by side to support respective bobbins 20 (see also FIG. 6), each spindle 14 being provided with a driving pulley 16 which is coupled by a transmission belt 18 with a source of motive power not shown. A ring rail 22, vertically displaceable above bearing rail 12, supports a like number of traveler rings 24 forming tracks for respective travelers 26 as is well known per se. The vertical reciprocation of the ring rail 22, indicated by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 1, may be brought about by a variety of mechanisms, e.g. those disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 311,039 filed Sept. 24, 1963, now Patent No. 3,243,131,

and may be carried out with a constant bottom position and varying stroke length or with a shifting top and bottom positions and constant stroke length, depending on whether bobbins with single or double taper are desired.

The range of reciprocation of traveler ring 24 extends, in any event, over the full length of the bobbin which is wound on a core 19 supported by the spindle 14.

The thread 114 for building the bobbin 20 is delivered to the spindle 14 by a supply mechanism, generally designated 34, which includes a reel 30 journaled on a boss 28 atop a flange 32 of frame 10. This mechanism also includes a bearing block 36 supporting a pin 38 on which a segmental tension feeler 40 is swingable. A feed roller 42, driven in clockwise direction (arrow, FIG. by a suitable source of power not shown, cooperates with a plurality of axially aligned pressure rollers 50' each assigned to a respective spindle 14. The shaft 51 (FIG. 5) of roller 50 is journaled in a cradle 48 formed by a flatbottomed recess in a bearing arm 46 which in turn is carried by a fixed horizontal rail 44 common to all the arms 46; each roller 50 is sustained by a pair of such arms and each of these arms is formed with two recesses 48, on opposite sides, to support adjoining rollers.

The thread 114 payed out by reel 30 passes first around a hook 53, and, after being looped around its roller 50, traverses an eyelet 52 at the free end of that hook; it next passes around a horizontal shaft 60 and through another eyelet 54 into an elongated vertical guiding tube 58 in line with spindle 14. This tube is swingably mounted on shaft 60 through the intermediary of a bifurcated suspension 56 which enables the tube to be swung out of alignment with spindle 14 to facilitate the removal of the completed bobbin and the positioning of a fresh core 19 on the spindle, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1. Tube 58 supports at its bottom a pigtail-shaped eyelet 59, the two eyelets 54 and 59 being both centered on the common vertical axis of tube 58 and spindle 14. The thread 114, upon deflection at the lower eyelet 59, assumes the well-known balloon shape upon it entrainment by the spinning traveler 26 which it traverses on its way to the bobbin 20. To control the shape of the balloon, in particular the size of its vertex angle a (see (FIG. 5), I provide an annular restraining eelment which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and 2 is a split ring 27 and whose inner diameter is approximately equal to that of ring 24. The ring 27 of the several spindles are carried on a common rail 23 supported on the rail 22 by one or more stays 21; the separation of rings 24 and 27 is approximately equal to half the stroke length whereby in the bottom position of ring rail 22, illustrated in the drawing, the restraining ring 27 lies about midway along the bobbin 20. In this position it divides the balloon into a lower and an upper section 62, 64 of limited bulge so that the value of a/Z will be not greater than about To help maintain this upper limit for the vertex angle of the figure of revolution 62, 64, the height h of eyelet 59 above the top of bobbin 20 (thus above the region of reciprocation of ring 24) should be on the order of half the diameter d of ring 24. A slender pin 66, rising from the top of spindle 14, has a height only slightly less than [1 so as substantially to bridge the gap between the eyelet 59 and the top of the bobbin 20 for the purpose of preventing multiple entanglements in the manner described above. Specific numerical values, in millimeters, for the preferred relationship of h and d are given in the following table.

d It- Up to 70 70-100 Above 180 Each of the pressure rollers 50 is so balanced on its supporting arms 46 as to be held by gravity, against the entraining force of roller 42 and the tension of thread 114, in its forward position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 in which the shaft 51 abuts the left-hand side of cradle 48.

At the same time, as long as thread 114 remains unbroken, the tension of this thread maintains the segmental feeler 40 in contact with shaft 60 and prevents it from tilting clockwise, under its own weight, as viewed in these figures. If, however, the thread breaks, the position of the center of gravity of feeler 40 to the right of pin 38 will cause it to swing rearwardly about the pin into contact with roller 50 so as to shift the latter into an alternate position at the opposite end of cradle 48 in which this roller no longer contacts the feed roller 42 but bears upon the rail 44, thereby clamping the loose end of thread 114 in fixed position above the rail and removing it from the action of the feed roller. It will be apparent that the thread supply is thus cut off only to the spindle at which the rupture occurred and that all other spindles will continue to operate normally in response to the continuing rotation of their common feed roller 42. In the course of such normal operation, the twist created in the ballooning thread sections 62 and 64 is continued upwardly, against the moderate friction of elements 54, 58 and 59, to the region of deflecting shaft 60, thus over a path which is substantially longer than the bobbin and therefore subject to considerably less proportional variation of its length than the ballon 62, 64 itself; The frictional resistance within the tube 58, on the other hand, superimposes a steady tension component upon the somewhat fluctuating tension due to the centrifugal stress of balloon sections 62 and 64, thereby further stabilizing the overall thread tension.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the thread 114 into the tube 58, the latter is shown longitudinally slitted at 57. Since the thread 114 assumes a helicoidal shape within the tube, it will not register with the slit 57 during normal operation so that there is no danger of the thread leaving the tube.

The system of FIGS. 3 and 4 is identical with that of FIGS. 1 and 2, except for the replacement of restraining ring 27 by a sleeve 68, of the same inner diameter, which is slitted longitudinally at 67 to simplify the introduction of the thread 1 14. Sleeve 68 moves on rail 23 in the manner described for ring 27 and, like this ring, encircles a middle region of spindle 14 and bobbin 20 in the bottom position of ring rail 22. The effect of this sleeve is a considerable flattening of the balloon 65 formed by the revolving thread.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 I have shown a modified thread-guiding mechanism mounted on the machine frame 10. To the extent that the elements of this mechanism are identical with those of the preceding figures, the same reference numerals have been used.

Swingably supported on shaft 60 are a series of bearing arms 128 from which guide tubes 120, similar to the aforedescribed tubes 58 and provided with longitudinal slits 121, are suspended. Each tube carries at its bottom end a collar 122, fastened to it by a setscrew 123, which supports an eyelet 124 corresponding to guide element 59 of the preceding embodiment. The top of the tube 120 has fastened to it, with the aid of a setscrew 156, a downwardly tapering frustoconical head 154 matingly received in a seat 158 integral with arm 128; the downwardly converging seat 158 is laterally cut open at 157 to provide clearance for the extraction of tube 120 when the head 154 is lifted above this seat. Head 154 is also slitted longitudinally, at 155, in line with the top of slit 121.

The seats 158 have rearwardly projecting bosses 132 traversed by a horizontal rod 130, parallel to shaft 60, which interlinks all the arms 128 for joint motion about the shaft; a setscrew 134 is threaded into each boss 132 to immobilize the rod 130. A hand lever 148 forms an upward extension of a lever arm 149 which, like the arms 128, interconnects the horizontal members 60, and which terminates at its lower end in a bifurcation 136 carrying an indexing stud 138. Another hand lever 142 extends forwardly from a fulcrum 143 and is biased by a spring clip 144 into an almost horizontal position in which one of two notches 140, 141 straddles the stud 138 to maintain the tube 120 either in an inclined position of disalignment, similar to that illustrated for the tube 58 in FIG. 1, or in its vertical position of operative alignment shown in FIG. 5. A knob 146 at the end of lever 142 enables the latter to be raised, against the force of spring 144, whenever it is desired to swing the lever 148 into its alternate position preparatorily to, for example, removal 5 of all the bobbins 26 from their spindles 14. To remove an individual bobbin, only the corresponding tube is lifted out of its seat and withdrawn in a forward direction by way of clearance 157.

I claim:

1. In a bobbin-building mechanism, in combination, a rotatable vertical spindle, a vertically reciprocable traveler ring coaxial with said spindle, supply means above said spindle for delivering a thread to said ring preparatorily to winding said thread on a core carried by said spindle, and thread-guiding means between said rin and said supply means comprising an elongated vertical tube disposed in substantial axial alignment with said spindle above the region of reciprocation of said ring, said thread-guiding means further including an eyelet disposed just below the bottom end of said tube and centered on its axis, said spindle being provided with a slender pin rising from its top to a location just below said eyelet for intercepting loose thread from an adjoining tube in the event of a rupture.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said eyelet is rigid with said tube.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the position of said eyelet and the width of said ring are so dimensioned as to maintain a maximum vertex angle of substantially 90 at the top of a figure of revolution described by the section of thread extending from said eyelet to said ring.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the height of said eyelet above said region of reciprocation is on the order of one-half the diameter of said ring.

5. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said thread-guiding means further includes an annular restraining element centered on said axis, said element being coupled with said ring for joint vertical reciprocation and encircling a middle region of said spindle in a bottom position of said ring, said restraining element and said ring having substantially the same inner diameter.

6. In a bobbin-building mechanism, in combination, a plurality of juxtaposed rotatable vertical spindles, a vertically reciprocable traveler ring coaxial with each spindle, supply means above said spindles for delivering a thread to said ring preparatorily to winding said thread on a core carried by each spindle, thread-guiding means between said ring and said supply means comprising an elongated vertical tube swingably disposed in substantial axial alignment with each spindle above the region of reciprocation of said ring, and link means interconnecting said tubes for jointly swinging them out of alignment with said spindles prior to replacing the loaded cores thereon, said threadguiding means including a horizontal shaft above said tubes, the latter being provided with bearing arms swingably suspended from said shaft.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said thread-guiding means further includes a row of eyelets each disposed below said shaft above a respective tube and in alignment with the upper end thereof.

8. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said bearing arms form downwardly converging seats for said tubes below said shaft, said tubes being provided with complementary heads received in said seats and removable therefrom in an upward direction, said seats being laterally open for enabling detachment of said tubes from said arms upon a lifting of said heads out of said seats.

9. The combination defined in claim 6, further comprising indexing means engageable with said link means for selectively holding said arms in an operative position of alignment and in an inoperative position of disalignment with said tubes.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said indexing means comprises a notched member, said link means including a formation engageable by said notched member.

11. The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said notched member comprises a spring-loaded lever biased to maintain its engagement with said formation.

12. In a bobbin-building mechanism, in combination, a plurality of juxtaposed rotatable vertical spindles, a vertically reciprocable traveler ring coaxial with each spindle, supply means above said spindles for delivering a thread to each said ring preparatorily to winding said thread on a core carried by each spindle, thread-guiding means between said rings and said supply means comprising an elongated vertical tube disposed in substantial axial alignment with each spindle above the region of reciprocation of said ring, and a slender pin rising from each spindle toward the bottom of the corresponding tube for intercepting loose thread from an adjoining tube in the event of a rupture.

13. In a bobbin-building mechanism, in combination, a rotatable vertical spindle, a vertically reciprocable traveler ring coaxial with said spindle, supply means above said spindle for delivering a thread to said ring preparatorily to winding said thread on a core carried by said spindle, thread-guiding means between said ring and said supply means comprising an elongated vertical tube disposed in axial alignment with said spindle above the region of reciprocation of said ring, and support means for said tube pivotable about a horizontal axis directly above said tube for enabling same to be swung out of alignment with said spindle, said thread-guiding means further including a deflecting element above said tube in line with said hori- Zontal axis and with the axis of said spindle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,951,331 9/1960 Hamel 57-84 FOREIGN PATENTS 125,408 11/ 1901 Germany. 814,125 5/ 1959 Great Britain.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

13. IN A BOBBIN-BUILDING MECHANISM, IN COMBINATION, A ROTATABLE VERTICAL SPINDLE, A VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE TRAVELER RING COAXIAL WITH SAID SPINDLE, SUPPLY MEANS ABOVE SAID SPINDLE FOR DELIVERING A THREAD TO SAID RING PREPARATORILY TO WINDING SAID THREAD ON A CORE CARRIED BY SAID SPINDLE, THREAD-GUIDING MEANS BETWEEN SAID RING AND SAID SUPPLY MEANS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED VERTICAL TUBE DISPOSED IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SPINDLE ABOVE THE REGION OF RECIPROCATION OF SAID RING, AND SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID TUBE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID TUBE FOR ENABLING SAME TO BE SWUNG OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SPINDLE, SAID THREAD-GUIDING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING A DEFLECTING ELEMENT ABOVE SAID TUBE IN LINE WITH SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS AND WITH THE AXIS OF SAID SPINDLE. 